Daniel’s Years prior to Destruction of the First Temple

This page determines how long Daniel was in Babylon prior to the destruction of the First Temple, Daniel 1:1-2.

¹ In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. ² And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

In the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem.  Because of what had happened previously in Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar was successful in overtaking Jerusalem.  Not only did he take objects from the Temple, he took people, Daniel 1:3.

³ And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;

Unfortunately for Daniel this included him, Daniel 1:6.

⁶ Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

So in the third year of Jehoiakim’s reign, Daniel was taken to Babylon.  Jehoiakim was installed as king by Pharaohnechoh, 2 Kings 23:34.

³⁴ And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.

And in 2 Kings 23:36.

³⁶ Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.

Jekoiakim reigned 11 years and was succeeded by his son in 2 Kings 24:6.

⁶ So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.

Jehoiachin had a short reign, 2 Kings 24:8.

⁸ Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother’s name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.

Jehoiachin only reigned for 3 months.  He was succeeded by Mattaniah, 2 King 24:17.

¹⁷ And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father’s brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah. ¹⁸ Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.

Mattaniah’s name was changed to Zedekiah.  He reigned 11 years prior to the fall of Jerusalem.

Jehoiakim reigned for 11 years, Daniel was in Babylon for eight of those eleven years.  Jehoiakim was followed by two other kings, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah.  Their total reign was three months and eleven years.  As such, Daniel was in Babylon a total of 19 years and three months prior to the fall of Jerusalem.  For almost 20 years, Daniel advised Nebuchadnezzar prior to the destruction of the First Temple.

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